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Doctor of Health Administration Health Administration courses
Health Administration coursework overview
Coursework tailored to your learning preferences
- Capella sets the deadlines
- Weekly online interactions
- Learn on your time
- Online
Planning for your degree
- total quarter credits: 76
- Quarter length: 10 weeks
- Course length: 10 weeks
- Break: 3 weeks between quarters
Health Administration course requirements
- Core 11 courses
- Elective 2 courses
- Capstone Minimum 4 courses
Example program course sequence
This example course sequence takes course prerequisites into account, so it can be helpful as a general guide when you register for courses. In GuidedPath, the number of courses you take in a quarter and time it takes to complete your program can vary. Your academic coach can help answer any course registration questions.
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DHA8001
Required Course Foundations of Healthcare Administration for Doctoral Learners
4 quarter credits
This course prepares learners for doctoral-level coursework in healthcare administration. Throughout the course, learners analyze and evaluate how the scholar-practitioner model provides guidance for developing competencies in effective and ethical healthcare administration leadership, including professional and interprofessional collaboration, communication, and decision making. Must be taken during the learner's first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
DHA8004
Required Course Innovative Business Practices in Health Care
6 quarter credits
Learners in this course examine various innovative health care practices, including creating a culture of accountability for personal, departmental, and organizational performance. Learners evaluate their abilities as change leaders and assess their readiness to accept responsibility for their organizational performance. Learners also demonstrate the skills needed to communicate effectively, take initiative, and reflect industry standards in the workplace. For DHA learners only.
6 quarter credits
RSCH7860
Required Course Survey of Research Methods
4 quarter credits
Learners read critically and evaluate research in order to gain an understanding of the scientific methods of inquiry and the ethical considerations of research. Learners become educated consumers and creators of research. Additionally, learners use their research design skills to analyze and apply research methodologies, validity, reliability and other components of scientific research related to their field of interest.
4 quarter credits
DHA8008
Required Course Health Care Policy Processes
6 quarter credits
In this course, learners investigate the impacts of health care policy and legislation on the availability of, access to, and cost of U.S. health care. Learners examine the implications and consequences of specific health care legislation; analyze the values and assumptions underlying changing priorities in health planning and resource allocation; evaluate the combined effects of social, economic, ethical, legal, and political forces on health care; and assess ways of addressing current gaps in health care policy.
6 quarter credits
RSCH7864
Required Course Quantitative Design and Analysis
4 quarter credits
Learners gain an understanding of the logic, computation, and interpretation of statistics, with an emphasis on decision-making skills in the research process and on the application and interpretation of statistical results. Learners utilize the statistical program JASP to practice running and interpreting statistical analyses.
4 quarter credits
DHA8007
Required Course Strategic Financial Management in Health Care
6 quarter credits
The focus of this course is appropriate use of financial information in the health care organization's decision-making process. Learners examine fundamental components of organizational stewardship, including information management; short- and long-term investment planning; and ethical and professional accountability. Learners also demonstrate the skills needed to develop and implement short- and long-term organizational projects in the health care environment and garner the stakeholder support necessary for achieving the financial goals and objectives of the health care organization. For DHA learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
6 quarter credits
RSCH7868
Required Course Qualitative Design and Analysis
4 quarter credits
Learners investigate essential concepts and methods for conducting qualitative research. Learners engage in hands-on practice with qualitative research techniques, focusing on the appropriate applications, strengths, and limitations of various qualitative approaches, sampling methods, and analysis strategies. Throughout the course, learners develop an understanding of ethical considerations, particularly when researching vulnerable and diverse populations, and strategies to protect human subjects. Learners also examine the alignment of qualitative approaches with sampling and analysis approaches to ensure rigor and produce meaningful insights. Prerequisite: PhD in Psychology learners must have completed RSCH7020
4 quarter credits
DHA8026
Required Course Regulatory Compliance for Health Care Leaders
6 quarter credits
Learners develop an understanding of the current compliance and regulatory issues health care leaders face and demonstrate the skills needed to develop a strong organizational compliance program. Throughout the course, learners gain the knowledge and skills needed to align current regulatory compliance mandates to current health care organizations. For DHA learners only.
6 quarter credits
DHA8032
Required Course Strategic Vision and Planning in Health Care
6 quarter credits
Learners in this course develop a strategic orientation to evaluate short- and long-term operational and organizational performance goals. Learners analyze organizational systems, processes, and designs from a strategic perspective and examine various methods of strategic planning, including the use and upgrading of information management systems as a means of improving organizational outcomes within the health care environment. Learners also demonstrate the interpersonal communication and strategic decision-making skills health care administrators use to influence and optimize results. For DHA learners only.
6 quarter credits
Elective Requirement Choose an elective course
4 quarter credits
DHA-V8925
Required Course Doctoral Project Development - Topic Ideation
3 quarter credits
In this ten-week virtual residency, learners develop and evaluate proposed topic areas and theories for their doctoral project. Learners analyze the literature on potential topics to assess relevance to the discipline and potential methods to use in the doctoral project. Learners gain an understanding of the writing, research, and critical thinking skills necessary to complete the final project. Further development of the doctoral project is determined through a final assessment. This residency includes required synchronous sessions. For DHA learners only. Grading for this course is S/NS. Prerequisite(s): DHA8026, RSCH7864, RSCH7868.
3 quarter credits
Elective Requirement Choose an elective course
4 quarter credits
Required Course DHA-V8926: Doctoral Project Development - Topic Development - Required Course
6 quarter credits
DHA9971
Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required milestones toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: Completion of all required and elective coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
4 quarter credits
DHA9971
Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required milestones toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: Completion of all required and elective coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
4 quarter credits
DHA9971
Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required milestones toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: Completion of all required and elective coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
4 quarter credits
DHA9971
Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required milestones toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: Completion of all required and elective coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
4 quarter credits
Core course requirements
Complete at least 52 quarter credits in the core courses category. Choose from the courses shown below.
Show all descriptions
DHA8004
Required Course Innovative Business Practices in Health Care
6 quarter credits
Learners in this course examine various innovative health care practices, including creating a culture of accountability for personal, departmental, and organizational performance. Learners evaluate their abilities as change leaders and assess their readiness to accept responsibility for their organizational performance. Learners also demonstrate the skills needed to communicate effectively, take initiative, and reflect industry standards in the workplace. For DHA learners only.
6 quarter credits
DHA8007
Required Course Strategic Financial Management in Health Care
6 quarter credits
The focus of this course is appropriate use of financial information in the health care organization's decision-making process. Learners examine fundamental components of organizational stewardship, including information management; short- and long-term investment planning; and ethical and professional accountability. Learners also demonstrate the skills needed to develop and implement short- and long-term organizational projects in the health care environment and garner the stakeholder support necessary for achieving the financial goals and objectives of the health care organization. For DHA learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
6 quarter credits
DHA8008
Required Course Health Care Policy Processes
6 quarter credits
In this course, learners investigate the impacts of health care policy and legislation on the availability of, access to, and cost of U.S. health care. Learners examine the implications and consequences of specific health care legislation; analyze the values and assumptions underlying changing priorities in health planning and resource allocation; evaluate the combined effects of social, economic, ethical, legal, and political forces on health care; and assess ways of addressing current gaps in health care policy.
6 quarter credits
DHA8026
Required Course Regulatory Compliance for Health Care Leaders
6 quarter credits
Learners develop an understanding of the current compliance and regulatory issues health care leaders face and demonstrate the skills needed to develop a strong organizational compliance program. Throughout the course, learners gain the knowledge and skills needed to align current regulatory compliance mandates to current health care organizations. For DHA learners only.
6 quarter credits
DHA8001
Required Course Foundations of Healthcare Administration for Doctoral Learners
4 quarter credits
This course prepares learners for doctoral-level coursework in healthcare administration. Throughout the course, learners analyze and evaluate how the scholar-practitioner model provides guidance for developing competencies in effective and ethical healthcare administration leadership, including professional and interprofessional collaboration, communication, and decision making. Must be taken during the learner's first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
DHA8022
Required Course Global Health Policy
6 quarter credits
In this course, learners evaluate global health policy from a results-based, sociopolitical perspective. Learners examine innovations in and challenges and opportunities associated with global health policy development and implementation, the importance of global industry models in global health policy, and the strategic communication skills needed to influence global health care policy change. Learners also study ethics and social accountability relative to global health policy.
6 quarter credits
DHA8032
Required Course Strategic Vision and Planning in Health Care
6 quarter credits
Learners in this course develop a strategic orientation to evaluate short- and long-term operational and organizational performance goals. Learners analyze organizational systems, processes, and designs from a strategic perspective and examine various methods of strategic planning, including the use and upgrading of information management systems as a means of improving organizational outcomes within the health care environment. Learners also demonstrate the interpersonal communication and strategic decision-making skills health care administrators use to influence and optimize results. For DHA learners only.
6 quarter credits
DHA8032
Required Course Strategic Vision and Planning in Health Care
6 quarter credits
Learners in this course develop a strategic orientation to evaluate short- and long-term operational and organizational performance goals. Learners analyze organizational systems, processes, and designs from a strategic perspective and examine various methods of strategic planning, including the use and upgrading of information management systems as a means of improving organizational outcomes within the health care environment. Learners also demonstrate the interpersonal communication and strategic decision-making skills health care administrators use to influence and optimize results. For DHA learners only.
6 quarter credits
DHA8034
Required Course Evidence-Based Leadership in Health Care
6 quarter credits
In this course, learners investigate the principles of the evidence-based leadership (EBL) in health care organizations. EBL is fully integrated to provide a framework for building a culture of quality and execution. Learners examine the formal and informal influence strategies used to change individual and organizational behavior and the leadership strategies used to promote collaboration, optimize workforce performance, and promote positive health care organizational outcomes. Learners analyze and recommend EBL approaches to real-world organizational challenges.
6 quarter credits
DHA8040
Required Course Health Data Analytics in Quality
6 quarter credits
In this course, learners become familiar with regulatory and policy forces in health care that result in the demand for improved quality and clinical outcomes. Learners examine a variety of technical specifications, statistical procedures, and data sources to drive improvement. In addition, learners create and present quality dashboards to identify opportunities for improvement that drive change in a systematic, strategic way.
6 quarter credits
DHA8042
Required Course Performance Management and Process Improvement in Health Care
6 quarter credits
Learners in this course gain an understanding of the importance of strategic planning and organizational assessments as they relate to quality improvement in health care. Learners become familiar with identifying and creating priorities for quality improvement resulting in organizational action plans and projects needed to meet external demands relative to competition. Learners develop an understanding of the use of decision support, risk adjustments, data interpretation, and benchmarking to develop Quality Performance Improvement (QPI) teams and to monitor organizational performance.
6 quarter credits
DHA8044
Required Course Patient Safety, Accreditation, and Regulation in Health Care
6 quarter credits
In this course, learners evaluate the different types of accreditation processes and the importance of ongoing compliance. Learners examine the role the quality professional has when working with federal, state, and/or local agencies and identify benefits and outcomes of continuous readiness. Throughout the course, learners determine mechanisms and tools to evaluate the success of health care organizations' safety activities and demonstrate how to coordinate and integrate risk management into the organization's health care safety strategy. Finally, learners propose how to link health care safety goals to those of the organization's strategic plan to create and sustain an organizational-wide safety culture.
6 quarter credits
DHA8036
Required Course Health Care Leadership Excellence in a Consumer-Driven Market
6 quarter credits
Learners cultivate the skills needed to excel as a health care leader in a consumer-driven market. Learners analyze the four cornerstones of the Dye-Garman model for exceptional leadership in health care. Learners develop their leadership skills, focusing on cultivating self-awareness; embracing a compelling vision; developing an energizing style for working with people; and masterfully applying knowledge, influence, and power.
6 quarter credits
DHA8026
Required Course Regulatory Compliance for Health Care Leaders
6 quarter credits
Learners develop an understanding of the current compliance and regulatory issues health care leaders face and demonstrate the skills needed to develop a strong organizational compliance program. Throughout the course, learners gain the knowledge and skills needed to align current regulatory compliance mandates to current health care organizations. For DHA learners only.
6 quarter credits
RSCH7860
Required Course Survey of Research Methods
4 quarter credits
Learners read critically and evaluate research in order to gain an understanding of the scientific methods of inquiry and the ethical considerations of research. Learners become educated consumers and creators of research. Additionally, learners use their research design skills to analyze and apply research methodologies, validity, reliability and other components of scientific research related to their field of interest.
4 quarter credits
RSCH7864
Required Course Quantitative Design and Analysis
4 quarter credits
Learners gain an understanding of the logic, computation, and interpretation of statistics, with an emphasis on decision-making skills in the research process and on the application and interpretation of statistical results. Learners utilize the statistical program JASP to practice running and interpreting statistical analyses.
4 quarter credits
RSCH7868
Required Course Qualitative Design and Analysis
4 quarter credits
Learners investigate essential concepts and methods for conducting qualitative research. Learners engage in hands-on practice with qualitative research techniques, focusing on the appropriate applications, strengths, and limitations of various qualitative approaches, sampling methods, and analysis strategies. Throughout the course, learners develop an understanding of ethical considerations, particularly when researching vulnerable and diverse populations, and strategies to protect human subjects. Learners also examine the alignment of qualitative approaches with sampling and analysis approaches to ensure rigor and produce meaningful insights. Prerequisite: PhD in Psychology learners must have completed RSCH7020
4 quarter credits
DHA-V8925
Required Course Doctoral Project Development - Topic Ideation
3 quarter credits
In this ten-week virtual residency, learners develop and evaluate proposed topic areas and theories for their doctoral project. Learners analyze the literature on potential topics to assess relevance to the discipline and potential methods to use in the doctoral project. Learners gain an understanding of the writing, research, and critical thinking skills necessary to complete the final project. Further development of the doctoral project is determined through a final assessment. This residency includes required synchronous sessions. For DHA learners only. Grading for this course is S/NS. Prerequisite(s): DHA8026, RSCH7864, RSCH7868.
3 quarter credits
DHA-V8926
Required Course Doctoral Project Development ¿ Topic Development
3 quarter credits
In this ten-week virtual residency, learners apply writing, research, and critical thinking skills by identifying a problem, developing project questions, and finalizing a project topic that is appropriate for the program. Learners use evidence to support the selection of theories, problems, and questions to guide further refinement of their topic. Learners establish an appropriate topic area, preliminary project design, and begin development of a literature review. Further development of the doctoral project is determined through a project topic framework. This residency includes required synchronous sessions. For DHA learners only. Grading for this course is S/NS. Prerequisite(s): DHA-V8925. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
3 quarter credits
Elective course requirements
Complete at least 8 quarter credits in the elective courses category. Choose from the courses shown below.
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BMGT8412
Elective Requirement Creating Adaptive, Innovative Workplaces
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners explore human resource management strategies, tools, and issues related to the changing world of work. Learners analyze the ways in which HR professionals support the creation of innovative, engaging and productive work to meet the needs of the contemporary and future workplaces. Learners also examine the human resource components of employee engagement to include organizational design, leadership, career development, communication, flexibility, and virtual work environments. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
BMGT8412
Elective Requirement Creating Adaptive, Innovative Workplaces
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners explore human resource management strategies, tools, and issues related to the changing world of work. Learners analyze the ways in which HR professionals support the creation of innovative, engaging and productive work to meet the needs of the contemporary and future workplaces. Learners also examine the human resource components of employee engagement to include organizational design, leadership, career development, communication, flexibility, and virtual work environments. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
BMGT8614
Elective Requirement Leading the Organizational System
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners explore leadership practice in complex and dynamic environments. Learners use systems thinking and organizational theory to analyze leadership practice within the framework of organizational systems and evaluate the role of systems thinking in organizations to develop innovation in complex environments. Finally, learners apply these concepts to leadership practice. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
BMGT8614
Elective Requirement Leading the Organizational System
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners explore leadership practice in complex and dynamic environments. Learners use systems thinking and organizational theory to analyze leadership practice within the framework of organizational systems and evaluate the role of systems thinking in organizations to develop innovation in complex environments. Finally, learners apply these concepts to leadership practice. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
DB8610
Elective Requirement Leadership Theory and Practice
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners analyze the literature on leadership styles and theories, as well as more practical aspects of creative thinking. Throughout the course, learners cultivate their literature knowledge with scholarly and practical content from completed research studies. Learners also identify gaps in practice using established methods of gap analysis and consider specific actionable responses to the gaps. Learners investigate an array of leadership project ideas and current scenarios based on real world problems as found in the business literature. Prerequisite(s): DB8420 or DHA8032. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
DB8610
Elective Requirement Leadership Theory and Practice
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners analyze the literature on leadership styles and theories, as well as more practical aspects of creative thinking. Throughout the course, learners cultivate their literature knowledge with scholarly and practical content from completed research studies. Learners also identify gaps in practice using established methods of gap analysis and consider specific actionable responses to the gaps. Learners investigate an array of leadership project ideas and current scenarios based on real world problems as found in the business literature. Prerequisite(s): DB8420 or DHA8032. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
DB8710
Elective Requirement Strategy and Innovation: Theorizing, Crafting, Executing
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners analyze the literature on strategy and innovation theories, as well as more practical aspects of creative thinking. Throughout the course, learners cultivate their literature knowledge with scholarly and practical content from completed research studies. Learners identify gaps in practice using established methods of gap analysis to consider specific actionable responses to the gaps. Learners investigate an array of strategy and innovation project ideas and current industrial, product-based, or market-based scenarios. Prerequisite(s): DB8420 or DHA8032. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
DB8710
Elective Requirement Strategy and Innovation: Theorizing, Crafting, Executing
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners analyze the literature on strategy and innovation theories, as well as more practical aspects of creative thinking. Throughout the course, learners cultivate their literature knowledge with scholarly and practical content from completed research studies. Learners identify gaps in practice using established methods of gap analysis to consider specific actionable responses to the gaps. Learners investigate an array of strategy and innovation project ideas and current industrial, product-based, or market-based scenarios. Prerequisite(s): DB8420 or DHA8032. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
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DHA9971
Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required milestones toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: Completion of all required and elective coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
4 quarter credits
DHA9971
Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required milestones toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: Completion of all required and elective coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
4 quarter credits
DHA9971
Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required milestones toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: Completion of all required and elective coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
4 quarter credits
DHA9971
Doctoral Capstone Doctoral Capstone
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and support as they fulfill the required milestones toward completion of a doctoral capstone. Learners apply scholarly research within a particular professional context to advance their knowledge in the practice of the profession and solve organizational, institutional, or community concerns. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Learners must register for this course a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: Completion of all required and elective coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
4 quarter credits
What can I expect in the courseroom?
Each unit consists of readings, discussions and other activities you will be expected to complete throughout the week. Most deadlines for coursework occur on Thursdays and/or Sundays but may vary by program and course. In each course, you will receive a detailed scoring guide that describes expectations for every graded assignment.
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How will I be graded?
Grades are based on your participation in weekly reading discussions and completion of assignments, based on criteria outlined in the rubric. You will also be assessed on your ability to demonstrate an understanding of expected outcomes for your program or specialization. These outcomes are based on the needs and performance standards of your field or discipline.